Producer Offers 'Death Race,' 'Castlevania' Buzz

Daniel FienbergZap2It.com

He's been out in the desert of Mexico overseeing a zombie apocalypse, but producer Jeremy Bolt is happy to offer some information on upcoming projects including "Castlevania" and a "Death Race 2000" remake.

Speaking to reporters on the Mexico City set of "Resident Evil: Extinction," Bolt says that the two long-gestating projects are finally ready to move forward with Paul W.S. Anderson writing and directing.

"Paul came in and wrote the script and we're a lot closer, and we should be making an announcement in the next two or three weeks," Bolt says of "Death Race," a fresh take on "Death Race," which is set up at Paramount with Tom Cruise's Cruise/Wagner Productions.

Directed by Paul Bartel and produced by Roger Corman, the 1975 "Death Race 2000" is a violent political satire, featuring David Carradine as Frankenstein, the most popular driver in a bloody cross-country hit-and-run race. Bolt says that Anderson -- who wrote and directed the first "Resident Evil" movie and did the screenplay for "Extinction" -- has a different take on the material.

"We've basically taken the idea of reality television and extended it 20 years," he says. "So it's definitely a comment on society and particularly reality television, but it is not as much a satire as the original; it's more straight ahead."

Bolt admits that he and Anderson have discussed the idea of asking Sylvester Stallone to appear in the new "Death Race," perhaps reprising his villainous turn as Machine Gun Joe Viterbo, but adds, "He's a little old now."

Viewers shouldn't necessarily be holding their breath for the new "Death Race." Anderson's involvement in the project was first announced in the industry trade papers back in 2002.

"Castlevania" has also taken its time moving to the big screen. The original game first hit shelves in 1987 and let players take on the role of whip-wielding explorer Simon Belmont, as he sprinted through Count Dracula's castle fighting undead beasties.

"What Paul and I have done is we're trying to integrate a Dracula-origin story with Castlevania, the story of the Belmonts," explains Bolt of their approach to the game.

As a director, writer or producer, Anderson's game-to-movie credits range from "Resident Evil" and "Mortal Kombat" to the upcoming "DOA: Dead or Alive." Bolt promises that "Castlevania" will offer plenty of nods to veteran gamers.

"There is a fair amount of reference -- we always try to give the fans something that respects their love of the game, but also gives them something completely new," he says. "We've added a whole new spin on 'Castlevania.'"

Production on "Resident Evil: Extinction" has just passed the half-way point and no release date is set.